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Kitimat councillors settle on a question for upcoming plebiscite

Councillors presented and refined a motion at the January 13 committee of the whole which sets a question for a community plebiscite.

After a lengthy debate, councillors at last night's Committee of the Whole meeting settled on at least one question for an upcoming plebiscite in the community.

This follows on council's motion to survey residents in Kitimat on the Northern Gateway Pipelines proposal once the Joint Review Panel report had been published.

The question settled on is as follows: Do you support the final report recommendation of the Joint Review Panel of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Authority and National Energy Board, that the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project be approved, subject to 209 conditions set out in Volume 2 of the JRP's final report?

Councillors also opted to included Yes, No, and Undecided as answer options to voters.

Meanwhile staff will be preparing possible further questions to deal with issues such as if opinions would change if the pipeline was linked to a refinery, and whether a person's concerns are more linked to the pipeline or the marine aspect, or both equally.

As for dates, early voting days are now scheduled for April 2 and 9, with general voting on April 12. Those dates were chosen so as not to conflict with spring break.

On general voting for the plebiscite the Mount Elizabeth Secondary Middle School cafeteria and the Riverlodge have been chosen, and the Riverlodge will be the location for advanced voting.

Special voting will be allowed on the general voting day at Kiwanis Village, Kitimat General Hospital, Multi-Level Care and Delta King Place.

Mailed ballots will be allowed in specific circumstances, and will following established rules for mail ballots.